Tang 77 said that the officials' work enthusiasm should be encouraged, but General Liu was not happy. He shouted, "This is all because of those corrupt officials. They all only want to enjoy themselves and don't want to work."
Lan Yu listened to him and said, "Although I know that water that is too clear will have no fish, and a person who is too discerning will have no followers, Lanling has been corrupted from the root in recent years. Without extreme measures, it will be difficult to make them learn from this. 77 is right, this has really chilled their hearts."
Tang 77 said, "Brother Lan Yu's swift and decisive execution of the corrupt official was a wise move. However, everything in excess is as bad as deficiency. Strict laws are important, but we cannot only punish without rewarding."
Tang 77 believes that severely punishing corruption is necessary, but officials are also human beings who need to support their families. Officials' salaries should be increased appropriately, and a sound reward mechanism should be established. As long as you are willing to work hard, you will receive plenty of benefits. If you can get rich by being an honest official, who would risk their life to embezzle?
Lan Yu admitted that the method was theoretically feasible, but the national treasury was empty and the people couldn't even afford to eat. Wouldn't increasing officials' salaries by 4% cause public resentment to boil over?
Tang 77 looked at Lan Yu approvingly and said, "The city lord is indeed wise and insightful, your words hit the nail on the head. Therefore, we must resume production as soon as possible, formulate lenient policies, reduce taxes, and encourage the development of all walks of life, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants."
General Liu was completely bewildered: "77, you've really confused your uncle. Didn't you say our national treasury is empty? You want to raise officials' salaries and reduce taxes for the people, so where will the money come from?"
The two brothers, Li Fei and Li Liang, who had been standing by invisibly, couldn't help but say, "The general is right. We're getting more and more confused too. Where did the money come from?"
Lan Yu looked at Tang 77 with a puzzled expression. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice!
Tang 77 rubbed his nose and said, "If there's nothing ready-made, then we'll just have to offer them a pie in the sky. Isn't there the money from the investigation of corrupt officials? Let's first increase their salaries to boost their enthusiasm."
As for the common people, reduce taxes and corvée labor, return the land to the farmers, and provide them with high-quality seeds. Then, next year, there will be enough grain.
Encourage everyone to set up various workshops, so that workers can produce goods, farmers can earn extra money, commerce will flourish, and national tax revenue will increase accordingly.
General Liu muttered, "77 really knows how to make empty promises. Putting everything else aside, it's good enough if the grain in the granary can get the people through this year. I've already checked, and it's all old grain, severely spoiled. It's not even certain that it can be grown!"
Tang 77 smiled slyly: "These are not problems, City Lord, Uncle Liu, our Tang family can help with this."
We can provide seeds to farmers for free, but the harvested grain can only be sold to my family.
Our Tang family now has agriculture, animal husbandry, a weaving factory, and a farm implement workshop. We can provide technical support for all of these, but we won't work for free. If these people are willing to use the Tang family's technology, they have to share profits with us according to a set ratio!
"What is profit sharing?" Qi Hong, who was pouring tea nearby, couldn't help but ask.
Tang 77 put it simply: "The dividends are the money you earn, and you have to give me a portion of it!"
Qi Hong clicked her tongue and said, "This is really outrageous. Why should you get a share of other people's earnings?"
Tang 77 patiently explained: "Because of my help, they can earn more money, so even if they give me the dividends, they won't lose out."
Liu Lü shook her head and said, "This is not easy to handle!"
Tang 77 said confidently, "Believe me, it's definitely possible! We used this method to transform Huaiyuan County from an impoverished little town into a place even more prosperous than Lanling!"
Li Fei exclaimed in surprise, "Miss 77 is from the Tang family of Huaiyuan, no wonder!"
Lan Yu, who had been speaking for a while, curled his lips and said, "Since that's the case, then I, the city lord, will appoint you as an imperial envoy to oversee the restoration of production in Lanling. You have the right to act first and report later!"
Unexpectedly, she was able to become an official, so Tang 77 naturally wouldn't let this opportunity pass. Besides, having power would make things easier, so she readily agreed.
General Liu was displeased again. He shook his head and said, "No, no, 77 is going to be the city lord's wife. If you let her become an official, how will she ever be able to return to her womanhood!" Qi Hong and Liu Lü nodded hurriedly.
Lan Yu said quietly without revealing her true feelings, "77 is only 13 years old, and she still has two years until she reaches the age of marriage. It would be safer for her to be a boy!"
"What did you say, Brother Lanyu?" Tang 77 asked.
Lan Yu hurriedly explained, "I said that these are extraordinary times, and your intelligence is needed. So I'll have to make do with you for two years. Once you come of age, I will naturally find a way to restore your female identity!"
Tang 77 said dismissively, "What's wrong with that? It's great to be a boy. You can even use it to line your own pockets and expand the Tang family's business empire!"
General Liu said helplessly, "Little 77, it's true that no merchant is without guile; you even try to take advantage of Lan Yu!"
Tang 77 joked, "This is what my Tang family deserves, otherwise I'd quit!"
Lan Yu smiled without saying a word. Little brat, thinking you're so clever. You're all mine, so what do I have to be afraid of!
They're all incredibly shrewd!
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